Quantitative and Systems Biology (Juliane Liepe)





Our Research Aims
Our primary research question is: How does the proteasome, a key enzyme complex in protein degradation, regulate the human immune response, and how can this knowledge be leveraged to develop new therapeutic strategies?
We develop and employ computational approaches using in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo experimental data to study the pathways of the proteasome that regulate the human immune response. This interdisciplinary work aims to advance our understanding of immune surveillance and develop new therapeutic strategies, particularly in the field of computational immunology, to enhance the development of vaccinations and immunomodulatory therapies.

Therapeutic Relevance
The proteasome is already a target for therapeutic trials against cancer and infectious diseases, but its full potential remains to be explored. Our research will aid in these translational aspects and advance ongoing research in systems immunology.

Our Research Approach
Our group focuses on the development and application of diverse approaches, ranging from efficient mass spectrometry search algorithms and machine learning algorithms to dynamical modelling and model calibration approaches. We work in close collaboration with various labs, integrating experimental data with advanced data analysis and computational models. This synergy enhances the depth and accuracy of our research and accelerates the discovery of potential therapeutic strategies.

Why Join Us?

  • Engage in research that combines immunology, biochemistry, genetics, and computational biology.
  • Contribute to research with significant therapeutic relevance, particularly in cancer and infectious diseases.
  • Work with cutting-edge mathematical and bioinformatics tools.
  • Collaborate with leading labs and researchers in the field.

    Are you passionate about advancing our understanding of the human immune system through cutting-edge research at the intersection of immunology, biochemistry, genetics, and computational biology?

    Apply Now and be a part of our research team!



    Homepage Research Group

    https://www.mpinat.mpg.de/liepe



    For more information see for instance:

    • Specht, G.; Roetschke, H. P.; Mansurkhodzhaev, A.; Henklein, P.; Textoris-Taube, K.; Urlaub, H.; Mishto, M.; Liepe, J.: Large database for the analysis and prediction of spliced and non-spliced peptide generation by proteasomes. Scientific Data 7, 146 (2020)

    • Mishto, M.; Mansurkhodzhaev, A.; Ying, G.; Bitra, A.; Cordfunke, R. A.; Henze, S.; Paul, D.; Sidney, J.; Urlaub, H.; Neefjes, J. et al.: An in silico-in vitro pipeline identifying an HLA-A*02:01+ KRAS G12V+ spliced epitope candidate for a broad tumor-immune response in cancer patients. Frontiers in Immunology 10, 2572 (2019)

    • Liepe, J.; Sidney, J.; Lorenz, F. K. M.; Sette, A.; Mishto, M.: Mapping the MHC class I spliced immunopeptidome of cancer cells. Cancer Immunology Research 7 (1), pp. 62 - 76 (2019)

    • Kuckelkorn, U.; Stübler, S.; Textoris-Taube, K.; Killian, C.; Niewienda, A.; Henklein, P.; Janek, K.; Stumpf, M. P.; Mishto, M.; Liepe, J.: Proteolytic dynamics of human 20S thymoproteasome. Journal of Biological Chemistry 294, pp. 7740 - 7754 (2019)

    • Liepe, J.; Marino, F.; Sidney, J.; Jeko, A.; Bunting, D. E.; Sette, A.; Kloetzel, P. M.; Stumpf, M.l. P. H.; Heck, A. J. R.; Mishto, M.: A large fraction of HLA class I ligands are proteasome-generated spliced peptides. Science 354 (6310), pp. 354 - 358 (2016)